MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A local attorney who specializes in child abuse cases is going after a prominent private school.
Jeff Anderson is representing a man who says he was abused by William Jacobs in the 1970s when Jacobs was teaching at Breck. Jacobs is also the former head of the Minneapolis Park Police Department, who’s serving an 18-year sentence for abusing young boys.
Anderson said Jacobs himself has revealed the school knew of the abuse, but did nothing.
“Top administrators kept it quiet, did not report it, did not warn the parents, did not do anything, and allowed Jacobs to continue,” Anderson said.
Anderson represents Richard Colvin, who says he was abused by Jacobs over a three-year period in the early 1970s, when he was 12 years old. Anderson would not specifically say what Colvin is seeking by filing suit against the school and Jacobs.
“We really just want to get it out there and get other kids protected,” Anderson said. “Ultimately we’ll seek a jury trial.”
Jill Field, director of communications for Breck, says it would not be appropriate to comment on pending litigation. But Field says Breck has an unwavering commitment to protecting the safety and security of its students.
“We express our heartfelt concern for any child who is a victim of abuse by a trusted adult,” Field said.
